Michigan Summer Fun Sometimes Leads to Injury. IEP Urgent Care is Here to Help.

Summer is a glorious time in Michigan and we’ve got a pretty spectacular week in store for us! Many of us pack these warm weather days with swimming, hiking, playing sports, gardening, skateboarding, and climbing trees. Well, some of us climb trees.

All of this activity can sometimes lead to burns, cuts, bruises, insect/tick bites, poison ivy exposure, sprains, dislocations, and possibly worse.

Having a well-stocked home first aid kit is a great way to be prepared for minor injuries. If you spend time in the woods, having an effective poison ivy treatment ointment such as Tecnu is highly recommended.

For minor wounds, here’s a quick guide for in home care.

If an injury is more serious or concerning, we can quickly treat all of these issues promptly and professionally. Our on-site digital x-ray capabilities help us immediately determine if your injury is just a sprain or something more serious. Either way, we can get you quickly stabilized and make a recommendation for follow up care with a specialist if needed.

“This is the time of year when we can be a mom’s best friend,” said Dr. Nick Dyc, medical director for IEP Urgent Care. “Summer accidents are sometimes minor, sometimes serious, but always happen without warning, often after hours or on weekends. It’s that on-demand availability during these times that make us a good medical resource for moms and their families.”

Under the heading of “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” keep these things in mind:

Always wear sunscreen when out and about for more than 15 minutes.

Make sure everyone is wearing recommended safety gear for any biking, hiking, or skateboarding activities.

Stay hydrated! Even if you're only going for a short walk or ride, think about taking along a water bottle - any physical activity in the sun can dehydrate you faster than you think.

Be aware that we are currently suffering through a shortage of trained lifeguards in Michigan. That means that you might not see a lifeguard in some public swimming areas. If a child or family member is in any body of water, public or private, it's best to have multiple eyes on everyone. Unfortunately, drowning deaths can happen quickly and sometimes silently, so make water safety a priority while you enjoy that pool or lake time.